Rumor: Google to Offer Businesses Cheap Wi-Fi Equipment

The catch? Google's keen on getting data from those who use the subsidized wireless networks.

Google is reportedly working on an ambitious new plan that would involve the company offering commercial-grade networking hardware to small- and medium-sized businesses for subsidized costs, according to The Information.

It's unclear just what the prices would be, not to mention whether this alleged project will ever officially see the light of day. Google is not commenting.

If the plan goes through, though, small businesses would use the Google-backed hardware alongside their existing Internet connections. We don't yet know whether those tapping into the souped-up Wi-Fi would have to sign into their Google accounts in order to access networks created by the subsidized hardware, similar to how Google's free public Wi-Fi programs work in major cities (and how its rumored automatic login app might work for various Google hotspots in retail locations around the country). However, it stands to reason that Google would gain a great benefit for its advertising arm with all the additional data it could glean from these users.

Otherwise, what is Google's incentive for simply giving good deals for networking gear? Altruism is altruism, but we're willing to bet that Google is more than happy to discount equipment for better data collection on just who might be using said wireless networks (and where, and how).

Additionally, reports TechCrunch, it's likely that users would only have to log into a Google-based Wi-Fi network once. In doing so, their credentials would remain in effect for any other wireless network delivered by Google's networking equipment. In other words, you'd be able to log into the Google-backed Wi-Fi at your doctor's office, leave, and automatically log into a separate Wi-Fi network at your dentist's office without any extra fuss.

According to Reuters, Google would also likely share data related to those connecting to a businesses' Wi-Fi network with the business owners themselves.

The news comes about a month after reports that Google would offer cities with Google Fiber access to free Wi-Fi, but no announcements have been made.

David Murphy got his first real taste of technology journalism when he arrived at PC Magazine as an intern in 2005. A three-month gig turned to six months, six months turned to occasional freelance assignments, and he has since rejoined his tech-loving, mostly New York-based friends as one of PCMag.com's news contributors.
His rise to (self-described) fame in the world of tech journalism began during his stint as an associate editor at Maximum PC, where his love of cardboard-based PC construction and meetings put him in...
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